Help Please

[Loz68]

Can anyone tell me please what this is on the side of Percy's jaw? Its red and bulging out a bit. He is not interested in food and its two weeks since he last ate.

 

[kittycat17]

That snake looks in really bad condition, is he wrinkly or just the photo? He looks like he's in serious need of vet treatment


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[Loz68]

That snake looks in really bad condition, is he wrinkly or just the photo? He looks like he's in serious need of vet treatment


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Yes he is really wrinkly, I thoght he might just be shedding his skin. He has been moved a bit lately. I am worried about his condition.

 

[kittycat17]

Yes he is really wrinkly, I thoght he might just be shedding his skin. He has been moved a bit lately. I am worried about his condition.

It's can be a sign of severe dehydration

I would be getting it seen to asap by a reptile vet

Does he have proper heat and a water bowl? What is your setup for him like?


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[Pauls_Pythons]

Not a great pic but looks like mouth rot (stomatitis). Vet asap. You might be lucky but it looks in very poor condition, badly dehydrated and will need antibiotics at the least.

Longer term you need to review your husbandry. These problems are generally caused by poor conditions, temperature etc and even treating the animal will not cure the problem unless you find & fix the root cause.

 

[Loz68]

It's can be a sign of severe dehydration

I would be getting it seen to asap by a reptile vet

Does he have proper heat and a water bowl? What is your setup for him like?


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He has a large terrarium where I have a heat lamp. I have a small bowl of water in there for him. I have been worried for a coupel of days and thought he might be dehydrated but the water is going down. I have red sand on the bottom of the terrarium and some slabs of slate for him to go on.

 

[kittycat17]

He has a large terrarium where I have a heat lamp. I have a small bowl of water in there for him. I have been worried for a coupel of days and thought he might be dehydrated but the water is going down. I have red sand on the bottom of the terrarium and some slabs of slate for him to go on.

Don't use sand get rid of it.

Do you have a temp gauge? Or a thermostat to measure the temp under the light?

I would be getting to a vet tommorow as they may need to give him water via injections. And get that mouth checked out


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[Loz68]

He has a large terrarium where I have a heat lamp. I have a small bowl of water in there for him. I have been worried for a coupel of days and thought he might be dehydrated but the water is going down. I have red sand on the bottom of the terrarium and some slabs of slate for him to go on.

I am on tnak water and have been giving him that, do you think that is the cause and I should have spring water?

 

[Loz68]

Don't use sand get rid of it.

Do you have a temp gauge? Or a thermostat to measure the temp under the light?

I would be getting to a vet tommorow as they may need to give him water via injections. And get that mouth checked out


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Yes I have a temp guide and it is set at 30. Ok I will get rid of the sand. What should be on the bottom of his terrarium. Thank you very much for replying. He is my son's snake and my son is away at the moment. I am feeling sick for this poor little thing.

 

[Loz68]

Not a great pic but looks like mouth rot (stomatitis). Vet asap. You might be lucky but it looks in very poor condition, badly dehydrated and will need antibiotics at the least.

Longer term you need to review your husbandry. These problems are generally caused by poor conditions, temperature etc and even treating the animal will not cure the problem unless you find & fix the root cause.

I have called the vet and waiting on a call back. perhaps I have his home too hot. I have it set t 30 which is what I belive is right.

 

[Pauls_Pythons]

Depends if thats the hot spot, cold end or average temp and on how you are measuring the temp.
Size of the enclosure, does the animal have the ability to regulate temp by moving to a cool area, hides etc.

All sounds very difficult but it really isn't.
A good hand held thermometer is a great investment at about $30 and a little time to set it up correctly.

 

[kittycat17]

Because he isn't in good condition maybe stick with paper towel as the substrate for now it's easily kept clean if he has any issues.


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[Pauls_Pythons]

Sand certainly isn't a substrate I use. Paper towel as kitty said will work and make it easy for the time being.

 

[dragonlover1]

paper towel for the short term is appropriate,it makes it easier to keep track of any problems,Sand is more appropriate but not only for lizards

 

[kittycat17]

Please keep us updated with what the vet says


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[GBWhite]

Hi Loz,

As alluded the snake is in very poor condition. I agree with PP that it looks like advanced mouth rot and is severely dehydrated. Google "stomatitis in snakes". Don't hesitate getting it to a vet. The best thing you can do for the critter is to address your husbandry technique asap. I think it is a little more than just having his enclosure too hot. You state it is in a large enclosure and that may be a problem on it's own. It may be a good idea to consider removing it to a smaller one and use a heat mat during recovery. As KC has advised, get rid of the sand. I'd also get rid of the tiles. Use butcher's paper or newspaper as a substrate during recovery and stick with it until it has fully recovered and then consider other options other than sand. Check your heat lamp, it may be a spotlight and/or too high wattage that, if too close or too hot, can just cook the critter, check your photoperiod (the amount of time the light is turned on and off). Make sure your thermostat is working. Check your ventilation. Make sure there is a heat gradient across the cage where it can access cooler temperatures, make sure it has hides at both the hot and cool ends. As well as providing a water bowl to drink from it doesn't hurt to provide a larger one to allow the snake to soak to cool off and remain hydrated if the temps are too high. In the short term you can use the internet to access Care Sheets, Southern Cross Reptiles have some beauties for all species of Aussie Pythons. In the long term it might be advisable to purchase a book on the captive care of pythons. Keeping and Breeding Australian Pythons by Mike Swan is a pretty good place to start.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cheers,

George.

 

[Loz68]

Depends if thats the hot spot, cold end or average temp and on how you are measuring the temp.
Size of the enclosure, does the animal have the ability to regulate temp by moving to a cool area, hides etc.

All sounds very difficult but it really isn't.
A good hand held thermometer is a great investment at about $30 and a little time to set it up correctly.

Thank you so much for your reply. He has a large enclosure where he can get away form the heat. I have a temp guage and a small water bowl in there as well. I have spoken to the local vet who has given me the number of a snake specialist who I will be calling tomorow. Thank you for taking the time to reply I have very worried about his condition. Hopefully I will get some answers tomorrow.

 

[Loz68]

Please keep us updated with what the vet says


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I just got off the phone to the vet and she thinks he may be shedding but also has mouth infection that will need antibiotics. She has given me a number of snake specialist and I will call them tomorrow. Thanks again for all the help.

 

[kittycat17]

I just got off the phone to the vet and she thinks he may be shedding but also has mouth infection that will need antibiotics. She has given me a number of snake specialist and I will call them tomorrow. Thanks again for all the help.

That doesn't look like a snake shedding... they don't go wrinkly to that degree

Where are you located? We may be able to point you to a great reptile vet


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[Loz68]

Hi Loz,

As alluded the snake is in very poor condition. I agree with PP that it looks like advanced mouth rot and is severely dehydrated. Google "stomatitis in snakes". Don't hesitate getting it to a vet. The best thing you can do for the critter is to address your husbandry technique asap. I think it is a little more than just having his enclosure too hot. You state it is in a large enclosure and that may be a problem on it's own. It may be a good idea to consider removing it to a smaller one and use a heat mat during recovery. As KC has advised, get rid of the sand. I'd also get rid of the tiles. Use butcher's paper or newspaper as a substrate during recovery and stick with it until it has fully recovered and then consider other options other than sand. Check your heat lamp, it may be a spotlight and/or too high wattage that, if too close or too hot, can just cook the critter, check your photoperiod (the amount of time the light is turned on and off). Make sure your thermostat is working. Check your ventilation. Make sure there is a heat gradient across the cage where it can access cooler temperatures, make sure it has hides at both the hot and cool ends. As well as providing a water bowl to drink from it doesn't hurt to provide a larger one to allow the snake to soak to cool off and remain hydrated if the temps are too high. In the short term you can use the internet to access Care Sheets, Southern Cross Reptiles have some beauties for all species of Aussie Pythons. In the long term it might be advisable to purchase a book on the captive care of pythons. Keeping and Breeding Australian Pythons by Mike Swan is a pretty good place to start.

Hope this helps and good luck.

Cheers,

George.

Thank you George. Yes I think the enclosure is too large. I have spoken to the local vet and have number to call for a specialist vet tomorrow. There are cool and warm spots in the enclosure but no hides... I will sort that out tomorrow as well. I did google stomatitis and from the pics that I saw I think that is what it is. I am on tank water, is this ok to give him? I read somewhere that it has to be spring water but the tank is just rain water. Thanks for the advice on the books I will get those also. Just dont like to see the poor little thing suffering. Thanks again.